Sidewalk plan to get further study

Some residents who were to have sidewalks fixed in front of their homes attended a Sturgis City Commission meeting Wednesday to address concerns.

By Brandon WatsonTwitter: @BwatsonSJ

A public hearing was opened Wednesday at the Sturgis City Commission meeting.At the hearing, the commission discussed a sidewalk special assessment in conjunction with the 2013 street improvement project.City engineer Barry Cox said the purpose of the special assessment district is to connect eight sidewalk segments.“We’re basically filling in sidewalk gaps,” he said. However, the motion was tabled for some further study by city staff.Some residents who were to have sidewalks fixed in front of their homes attended the meeting to address concerns.Tulip Drive, with five parcels, was scheduled to has the most sidewalk gaps. A few homeowners on that street spoke at the meeting. They told commissioners that, due to a lack of traffic on Tulip Drive, a sidewalk is unnecessary.Other sidewalks that would have been fixed are on North Orange and St. Joseph streets.The public improvement estimated cost to homeowners ranges from $84 to $1,848. That cost is split 50/50 with what the city would pay. Each property owner received a letter from the city noting the change.Costs were also capped, said city clerk Ken Rhodes. For example, the highest estimated amount, $1,848, involves 132 feet of sidewalk for the residence. The city also would pay $1,848 for that project.Members of the commission spoke about potentially looking at other areas in the city where sidewalk installment could be of better use.

Assessments were bid out already, but city manager Mike Hughes said the citizens that would have received the sidewalk would not pay any more than what the city had notified them of by letter.